Florida secured its third linebacker and commitment No. 23 for its 2027 recruiting class on Thursday when Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day School linebacker Robert Geathers III pledged his services to the Gators.
Geathers — the son of former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Robert Geathers Jr., grandson of former Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Robert Geathers Sr., and great nephew of two-time Super Bowl-winning defensive lineman Jumpy Geathers, among his five relatives who played in the NFL — picked Florida over Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia.
The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Geathers is considered the No. 56 safety and No. 582 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite rankings, making him a three-star recruit. While Geathers plays defensive back for Providence Day School, he projects as a linebacker at the college level.
Geathers recorded 87 tackles, two interceptions and eight defended passes during his 2025 junior season.
247Sports Director of Scouting, Andrew Ivins, offered the following scouting report on Geathers' game:
-Large slot defender from a true football family that has all the makings of a new-age money or dime linebacker.
-Size has not been third-party verified, but looks to be pushing 6-foot-2 and already carrying 215 pounds.
-Effective in drop coverage with his spatial awareness and play recognition.
-Frequently moving on his toes and ready to trigger.
-Displays impressive contact courage at this stage and will fight through perimeter blocks before making an open-field tackle.
-Likely to earn plenty of snaps on special teams units given ability to run and hit.
-Projects as a potential multi-year contributor at the Power Four level that can help combat up-tempo offenses.
Florida quickly surged ahead in Geather's recruitment after offering him a scholarship in April. He visited the program twice in two months after receiving his offer, including on an official basis in late May.
"I think one thing I enjoyed the most was seeing how motivated everyone was. Everyone was super motivated to turn the program around, and I felt like everyone had a chip on their shoulder ... " Geathers told Swamp247 following his official visit. "The energy they had in the building, I feel like that's something that separated them from a lot of the other schools that I've been to."
Geathers joins Swainsboro (Ga.) High School four-star Ja'Bios Smith and Mobile (Ala.) Williamson High School three-star Ellis McGaskin as linebacker pledges in Florida's 2027 recruiting class.
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